My only son recently turned 12. It's pretty old when I think about how quickly it's all passed, it seems like only yesterday I didn't know half of the stuff that I know today. So much stuff, so much that I thought I'd write it down – just so I never forget it
Dear Ethan
Today is your birthday and although I tell you every day how much I love you, today I want to tell you that a million times over. And I want to thank you for all the things you’ve taught me – one for each year….
Love – You have taught me true, unconditional and overwhelming love. A love like no other. Every time you tell me you love me I tell you I love you more, and when you try to tell me that I don’t, I have to explain how you couldn’t possibly love me more than I love you. “It’s impossible” I say and although you laugh (and sometimes it turns into a 20 minute word game of who loves who more) you will never be able to understand how much I love you. It’s not possible. Maybe when you have your own children. Maybe then…
Strength – If anybody had told me before I had children that my own child would be born premature and spend the first two months of his life in hospital I would have dismissed it. It couldn’t happen to me – I would never be able to handle it. But I did. I handled it without even thinking about it and every obstacle we have had in our way I have handled because doing it for you makes the mountains seem like slides. It’s easy to do it for you.
Patience – Okay so maybe I still have some way to go on this one but I am getting there. You and me both. I know you’re going to find it hard to believe that I’ve become more patient – but I have. And I am going to continue trying